At their annual meeting in Houston, the messengers of the Southern Baptist Convention approved the resolution Wednesday morning, which expressed "opposition to and
disappointment in" the change in the membership policy.

The resolution, however, stopped short of recommending that
churches cut ties with the Scouts, though it expressed support for churches and
families that make such a decision, according to the Associated Press. Because Southern Baptist churches are
self-governed, the resolution is nonbinding.

A separate resolution was approved earlier calling on all Southern Baptists to report allegations of child abuse to
authorities, the AP said.

The Boy Scouts' national office released this statement in response to the Baptists' action.

"We have a deep
respect for the Southern Baptist Convention and its churches that use Scouting
in their youth ministries," said Deron Smith, director of public relations. "Scouting's
youth member policy is not about the BSA condoning homosexuality, or forcing
its chartered organizations to do the same.
This change allows Scouting to be more compassionate in its response to
a young person who expresses a same sex attraction, but is not engaging in
sexual activity, by no longer calling for their automatic removal from the
program. "

The statement reiterated the organization's policy prohibiting any sexual conduct.

"We believe the BSA policy is fully consistent with how Southern Baptist
Churches respond to young people in their congregations and allows them to
maintain their beliefs about homosexuality and minister to children who are
still learning and developing," the statement said.